The Dalila Robin Show

     More than six years have passed since R&B recording artist, Anita Baker, recorded and released a studio album.  Her latest offering, “Only Forever,” will be released October 23, but the first single, a cover of Tyrese Gibson’s song, “Lately,” was exclusively released to Clear Channel Radio Tuesday.

     There is no doubt that Anita Baker’s voice is exquisite – still; the song arrangement and chord progressions felt familiar.  Miss Baker rose to fame during a time when studio musicians recorded take after take in order to get the sound just right.  Today’s contemporary music is created, on the whole, by software programs like Pro Tools and samplers.  

     “Lately” falls short of what we expected; this new release is unremarkable. But, judging by tweets on the @IAmAnitaBaker timeline, this new song was well received. Keith Barrett Jr. (@KBJ007) tweeted, “Anita, you are the breath of fresh air the industry needs right now.”

     Ms. Baker withdrew from the limelight at the height of her career after her marriage to Walter Bridgforth Jr. in 1988.  It feels as if she is attempting to return at the point of her withdrawal. Other successful singers with extensive careers like Aretha Franklin, Madonna and Janet Jackson continue to be successful because they reinvent themselves.

     If the other songs from the soon-to-be-released album follow the same format, we predict lackluster sales.  If you haven’t had a chance to preview the song, click here to listen.

     We absolutely adore Anita Baker, but for now, we “PRESS PAUSE.”